CLAIM

Two intelligence agencies suspect that President Donald Trump’s cell phone is the source of recently leaked information.

FALSE

RATING

FALSE

ORIGIN

On 26 February 2017, the Seattle Tribune web site published an article concerning President Donald Trump, reporting that his Android cell phone was believed to be the source of recent intelligence leaks from the White House.

That article cited two non-existent “intelligence agencies,” A.R.H. Intelligence and Z|13 Security, as its primary source, and hijacked the social media hashtag #DitchTheDevice, which has been used to encourage cell phone users to spend more time away from their tech:

If you’ve recently seen the hashtag #DitchTheDevice trending on social media, it’s because, according to several private intelligence reports, the source of the multiple recent leaks within the White House is President Trump’s unsecured Android device.

The Seattle Tribune is actually affiliated with a known source of fake news, Associated Media Coverage. As such, the site admits its true nature as a purveyor of fabricated information in a disclaimer:

The Seattle Tribune is a news and entertainment satire web publication. The Seattle Tribune may or may not use real names, often in semi-real or mostly fictitious ways. All news articles contained within The Seattle Tribune are fictional and presumably satirical news — with the exception of our ‘list style’ articles that include relevant sources. The content published on The Seattle Tribune is intended to be entertainment and is often intended to generate thought and discussion among its readers. Any resemblance to the truth is purely coincidental. Advice given is NOT to be construed as professional. If you are in need of professional help, please consult a professional. The Seattle Tribune is not intended for children under the age of 18.